Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1887-04-08

As am receiving from different par
ties and friends letters of inquiry, and
as they ask many questions that have
been answered moro than once. I will
have 10 re-write some things that have
been written and published in your
paper, and will have to beg indulgence
and hope you will not term me re-
peatef.
First I will give detailed description
of Camas prairie Its surface is more or
less rolling and resembles the Cowskin
prairie in Missouri and the Cherokee
nation. 1t has numerous springs and
several small creeks or branches run
through II. Water can he had easily
by digging where necessity demands it.
The soil is deep, rich. and productive
producing small grain from double to
often six times as much as land in Mis-
souri,. The land that is not cultivated
il covered with the nutritious bunch
grass. We also have q beautiful little
lake on the south side of the prairie
that affords much sport for the fowler
In spring and fall, when the ducks and
geese flock to it by the thousands. The
prairie is bounded on the north and
east by Clearwater river and the Bitter
Root mountains on the south and west
by Salmon river and the Craig's noun
tains. The area Of the main prairie is
between 800 and 1000 square miles.
Mt. Idaho, the county site, is situated
ON the east and at the foot of the Bitter
Root mountains; do not know the popu-
lation, though it 10 q small place. Two
miles away 10 the northwest and on
the stage road leading to Lewiston, is
the beautiful little hamlet of Grange
Vile. which 10 beautifully located on
the prairie and il destined to be the
leading town Of the country.
It has : good frame school building
and school il carried on ten months in
the year by Prof Hall. He has been
engaged for the past five years. and is
likely 70 be for the next FIVE years.
which speaks we'll for him. 1t has
three general merchandise stores, one
drug store, q saloon, one hotel, a news
paper Office, Touring mill and saw
mill near the foot of the mountain.
Decided land we'll improved can be
bought at from S. to s. per acre.
Claims of 100 acres can be had at from
500 to $500. The greater portion of
the land that is not decided Is held by
parties who do not intend to deed them
but have taken claims just to settle
their right; this is on the main prairie.
Back little around the edges there are
thousands of acres of fine land, partly
timber and partly prairie, great deal
OF which has not been surveyed yet.
The most of II is unsettled, and can be
had by presumption, homestead or tim
Der claims. One person can take pre-
emption Of 100 acres, live on it six
months, prove up and pay $1.25 per
acre, and then homestead 100 acres
and II he or she. as the case may be,
can find section with no timber on it
and no one ahead of them, they can
take . timber culture claim of 160 acres
making in all 4S0 acres. There is but
very little rock on the land here, except
on the breaks of the canyons. Building
timber, lumber and fencing are easy to
get.
Friends, have given you as minute a
of this section as l can.
have been particular, so that none Of my
friends may be deceived II they should
come here. The climate is mild and
the atmosphere is not subject
to sudden and severe changes as in
We are now having our big |
gest snow and coolest weather. The
has been down to two de-
grees above zero once, the coolest morn
ing. In summer the nights are always
cool and pleasant. The snow has been
about twelve inches deep; we expect it
10 disappear at once when the Japanese
'or Chinook) winds arise; we do not
nave to wait until spring. as a great
many suppose, for the sun to get warm
enough to melt it. As to health, we
ire not bothered by such diseases as
hills, diptheria, and 1 hear no talk Of
or rheumatism, except
hose who brought 1t with them.
Good horses can be bought at from
80 to 500. New wagons at Lewiston
ost from sos to Sis. The 81 wagon
3 generally used and on the wide track.
I will not pay to bring any machinery
xcept your sewing machine. 1t would
ay you to bring good harness or sad
lee. Moving machines with rake cost
{ Lewiston about 500. Grain is all
arvested with headers that cost $500.
hey have q ten foot sickle. People
ere do not bind or shock grain. Labor
( all kinds is high here. Common
lrm labor $l.0O per day; per month,
rom SOS to s35. Cows are from $50 to